OP there is a Police Positive Special in .38 spl in a local online only auction that closes later today. Current high bid is $285. Something to think about before you plunk down $900 for the one you’re looking at.
UPDATE: I got it! Colt Police Positive.
- Thread starter Grayfox
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,660
- Reaction score
- 21,325
By the time of the later 3rd generation Colt D frames the .38 S & W chambering was long gone; the earlier Police Positive Special indicated the .38 Special version but by the 1970s it was just called the Police Positive. Not that it isn't special too.
harvester1
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2010
- Messages
- 111
- Reaction score
- 83
Nope, two different guns and chambered differently with different frame dimensions, barrel markings, and cylinder length. Police positive model was not chambered in 38 special or 32-20. Police Positive Special was on the roll mark of the newer and slightly larger more powerful guns. Police Positive production 1907-1947, and Police Positive Special production aproximetly 1907 to 1995.
Last edited:
AJ
US Veteran
Well....? Did ya or didn't ya?
OP
Grayfox
US Veteran
I went back and looked at it again today. Its at the local Bass Pro Shop. I did find a couple of light scratches on top of the barrel. There is a very light turn line. But otherwise the gun is perfect. It does indeed have the longer stocks.
However, there was only one person working the counter and it took forever to get it in my hands. NICS was running about an hour or more. So that kinda soured my mood.
At first the clerk said that there was no haggling. But finally got to talk to the used gun manager. He went to check his records and about a half hour later said that $810 was as low as he could go.
IDK. I still think the price is too high. I have absolutely no need for it. Just something that I'd like to have. I think I've about talked myself out of it. I'll give it a couple of days and see how I feel about it then.
However, there was only one person working the counter and it took forever to get it in my hands. NICS was running about an hour or more. So that kinda soured my mood.
At first the clerk said that there was no haggling. But finally got to talk to the used gun manager. He went to check his records and about a half hour later said that $810 was as low as he could go.
IDK. I still think the price is too high. I have absolutely no need for it. Just something that I'd like to have. I think I've about talked myself out of it. I'll give it a couple of days and see how I feel about it then.
I have exactly the same revolver and hand load target loads for it. I can tell you that it shoots everything very well. Handles nicely and the sights are good for my 65 year old eyes. If I lived in a carry State, it would be on my side. Sorry I can't tell you about the value but like most things, a bit expensive but worth it if you're going to shoot and enjoy it. There are other options in that price range so you'll need to decide what's important to you. Best of luck.
$810.00 would be about right for a pair of these old small frame Colts in my opinion. And then only if you checked them out throughly for timing issues. I’ve picked up many over the years at gun shows for a close look. I don’t think I ever looked one over that wasn’t late on carry up. And yes I do know that they complete rotation with trigger pull but the small frame Colts with their small parts seem to especially prone to wear and timing-lockup problems. Flame away if you want because I do freely admit to not being a genuine Colt revolver fan.
OP
Grayfox
US Veteran
Well, it seems that I can resist anything but temptation. I went and bought it this morning. Maybe I paid too much, maybe I didn't. But that's a problem for my heirs to figure out. 
Anyway, here's the actual gun. Those are reflections, not wear. The gun is a solid 98% with only a very light turn line.
And here it is with a few D frame friends. Yeah, I like the "D" frames.
But this brings up new questions. I've seen several references that these guns were only made in 1977-78. Yet the serial number dates to 1979 according to Colt's data base.
Just how long was the 4th Issue made?
Just how scarce are they?
Maybe I paid too much, maybe I didn't. But that's a problem for my heirs to figure out. Anyway, here's the actual gun. Those are reflections, not wear. The gun is a solid 98% with only a very light turn line.
And here it is with a few D frame friends. Yeah, I like the "D" frames.
But this brings up new questions. I've seen several references that these guns were only made in 1977-78. Yet the serial number dates to 1979 according to Colt's data base.
Just how long was the 4th Issue made?
Just how scarce are they?
AJ
US Veteran
Well, it seems that I can resist anything but temptation. I went and bought it this morning.
Anyway, here's the actual gun. Those are reflections, not wear. The gun is a solid 98% with only a very light turn line.
And here it is with a few D frame friends. Yeah, I like the "D" frames.
But this brings up new questions. I've seen several references that these guns were only made in 1977-78. Yet the serial number dates to 1979 according to Colt's data base.
Just how long was the 4th Issue made?
Just how scarce are they?
Congrats on buying it, enjoy it. Don't worry about making others happy, just make yourself happy!
AJ
US Veteran
Many of us have used this logic, numerous times!
Congrats. Nice looking piece.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Great score! That’s going to be a great shooter.
Hey, great. Glad that you bought it. Good one.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
heeter3
Member
Love that police positive special Grayfox. I think that that is the neatest of the pps configurations.Good for you on buying it.I hope you enjoy the heck out of it.
I have one. Bought is a couple years ago for $500 ish. That said that is actually a fairly scarce variation. Was only built for a couple of years and I don't think they sold very many of them. $810 would be a little rich for my blood but the market is what it is right now.
There has always been some confusion on the nomenclature. Way back when Colt had the Police Positive and the Police Positive Special. The PP was for the short rounds, the PPS for the longer ones, like 38 Special. By right the fourth gen pistols should have been called Police Positive Special for some reason Colt just went with Police Positive.
There has always been some confusion on the nomenclature. Way back when Colt had the Police Positive and the Police Positive Special. The PP was for the short rounds, the PPS for the longer ones, like 38 Special. By right the fourth gen pistols should have been called Police Positive Special for some reason Colt just went with Police Positive.
Similar threads
